How to Handle PMSing Colleagues

Whether your colleagues are close enough to tell you it’s that time of the month for them, or you can just gauge thanks to their super crabby moods or the good ol’ calendar, here’s how you can avoid a hellish work week:

Hand out smart snacks: Be it out of loss of appetite or plain hunger even after a full meal, food cravings are pretty common during PMS. So if you find a colleague reaching out for heavy-duty chocolate bars, larger-than-life bags of chips or gallons of sugary, aerated drinks, divert her attention. Why? The sugar/salt rush may put her in a “good” mood but it’s not going to last too long. Instead, hand out some nuts, seeds, dried fruit, good ol’ fruit (or juice), even dark chocolate for some natural energy.

Take productive breaks: Instead of the usual coffee break, suggest something milder and more rejuvenating… say green tea or a bowl of hot soup. A post-lunch or teatime 10-minute power walk could also do the trick. In case she smokes like it’s going out of style, try getting her to stop after one cigarette. Oh so diplomatically.

Don't overreact: Just put yourself in your colleague's place. Think about how you feel, act and react during that time of the month. And you’ll suddenly stop reading too much into her behaviour. However, this doesn’t mean you should turn into her punching bag; there's a limit to indulgence.

Don't invite trouble: Some people having the innate talent to dig their own graves, after having put their foot into their mouths, that is. Please don’t be that person. More so if you think your boss is PMSing on that given day. You’ll just be asking for trouble.

Workplace funnies: There's nothing like some good old-fashioned office humour to get those spirits up. Forward an email with a few cliché jokes to your teammates just before lunch hour to serve as a conversation starter. Or if you're good at telling jokes and anecdotes, give them the live version during a team lunch.

Office exercise: Lack of exercise and PMS often go hand in hand. If your colleague is plain lazy, unmotivated or says she doesn’t have the time for an exercise routine, encourage her to work out a little at her desk. Check out top 5 office exercises here. Give her some company to avoid the desk derrière syndrome.